Chapter 28: The Mysterious Guest

  As the sky brightened, the fierce ghost had turned into a wisp of smoke, and Third Sister had left. Only I, Second Master, and Yang Xiufeng, who was lying on the ground, remained in the courtyard. It wasn't that we didn't want to leave, but Yang Xiufeng was crying uncontrollably on the ground. I could understand her pain, but I was powerless to comfort her. All I could do was silently hold her in my arms, hoping to give her some solace. Even Second Master, who was normally stern, didn't say a word at this time. The deceased were gone, leaving us survivors with unspeakable sorrow and more things to think about.

  It wasn't until the sun was high in the sky that Yang Xiufeng finally cried herself out, and I half-carried her back to the village.

  Walking on the village road, although it's already this time, but still no one comes out. The eerie atmosphere last night has scared the villagers silly. Even in broad daylight, you can feel that fear. Gone is the usual bustle, and the village feels somewhat lifeless and oppressive. However, at this moment, neither I nor Second Grandfather have the heart to pay attention to these things, and we simply returned home.

  Nothing was done on this day, just lying down and resting. Last night not only exhausted but also suffered a serious injury, even the second master was seriously injured. After returning home, he fell onto the bed and didn't want to move anymore. I hugged Yang Xiufeng and lay there, looking at her pitiful expression all day, my heart wasn't feeling well either. The only one who didn't change was Huang Daxian, who came back and slept soundly on the kang.

  It wasn't until the next afternoon that someone arrived at Er Da Ye's house. After a day of anxiety and fear, nothing had happened after all, and the villagers gradually calmed down. Only the Dà Shuān Zi family was still telling people about seeing a ghost the night before last, and the ghost even took away their lantern.

  Of course, the second master would not mention anything about evil spirits to the villagers, only saying that nothing was wrong. As for the mournful cries of that night, people chose to forget them selectively. However, there were some legends that slowly emerged, and the mysterious colors on the second master's body became even more intense. This naturally led to many more things happening later on.

  That day, I still remember going to call back the fat dog and them. The matter had already passed, but they couldn't confirm it yet. Without Second Master going, no one dared to return home. They just squeezed in at the old Li residence for two days. That feeling is not worth mentioning. However, even though I went to inform them, no one asked about the situation. The cries of that night had already broken the Yang family's courage, so much so that Yang Xiufeng stayed with me for another two days. Strangely, the Yang family didn't ask anything, as if everything was tacitly approved. Unfortunately, I didn't do anything during those few days, just holding Yang Xiufeng in my arms, and we barely spoke. It was far from the romantic trysts that the Yang family had imagined.

  As for Yang Xiufeng living with me, it's not something that can be hidden from the village's gossipy old women. These old ladies have nothing better to do and love talking about such things. Through their mouths, Yang Xiufeng and I are almost like a young couple, and all sorts of rumors and gossip have already been spread, with the verdict already being written in stone.

  Fortunately, after two days, Yang Xiufeng slowly recovered and took Huang Daxian back home. However, as soon as Yang Xiufeng left, those gossipy women started pointing and whispering, saying that just by looking at the way they walked, it was clear that something had already happened between them. They said that young people these days didn't care about anything, and that it seemed like something really did happen between me and Yang Xiufeng, but I couldn't hear their gossip.

  Two more days passed, and I thought the matter was over and would never be involved in such things again. However, some things, once entangled, can't be shaken off. On the fifth day after the incident, Second Master went to the town hospital for treatment because he hadn't recovered from his injuries. I stayed behind alone to take care of the house. To be honest, since that day's events, I haven't had any interest in playing either, and have just been staying at home by myself, feeling dull and listless.

  This day was just like any other, but someone from a neighboring village came to buy paper people, paper horses, sedan chairs, golden mountains and silver mountains, preparing to burn the gate house tonight. Since Second Master wasn't home, I naturally took care of it myself. Fortunately, having followed Second Master since childhood, I had learned quite a bit, so this small matter wouldn't stump me. Besides, doing business in this line is different from others - when buying vegetables, there's still room for haggling, but not with these things. Although I wasn't entirely clear on the specific prices, now that I've spoken, it's settled, and even if I made something up, no one would say anything. However, later seeing the anger on that person's face, I guessed I had overcharged, but couldn't change it now. In the end, that person left, leaving me with a belly full of frustration. Fortunately, it wasn't too out of line, and when Second Master returns, I'll just have to take another scolding. According to the rules of this trade, money from the dead can't be taken carelessly, so if you overcharge, you must use it for good deeds - absolutely cannot keep it for yourself, or else you'll invite disaster. Although I don't know what's true or not, Second Master is still upholding this old rule, so I still need to wait for him to come back and handle this matter.

  This thing is not big, it's just a small matter, a very simple small matter. However, in the afternoon of that day, another middle-aged man came, wearing clothes and looking like he wasn't from around here, at least I hadn't seen him before. He looked strange when he arrived, although he was wearing a suit and tie, his leather shoes and wristwatch were expensive-looking, but he wore a straw hat, the kind that's common in our rural homes, 12 yuan each, really not matching or coordinating, so I said as soon as I saw this person, I felt very strange.

  Although I felt strange in my heart, everyone who came here didn't have a good mood. I also didn't dare to say much and could only go forward and respond: "Sir, is there anything I can help you with?"

  Because of the circumstances, this line can't ask what you need, it can only say help with something, so as not to make people unhappy. However, at this time, that person still uses a straw hat to cover his face, I couldn't see clearly what he looks like, and in my heart, I just feel strange, so I have the intention of remembering this person's appearance.

  Just as I was wondering what this person was up to, he spoke in a low voice: "Is Master Liu not here?"

  "Looking for my second uncle? I'm not sure what to say, so I just hummed: "My uncle has been injured recently and is in the hospital. He might not be back for two or three days. If you have something urgent, it's better to find someone else."

  That man was stunned, obviously somewhat excited, and actually grabbed my collar with one hand, hoarsely saying: "I don't care who you are, just get the job done for me -"

  If it weren't for the occasion, I would have lost my temper long ago. I hate people who grab my collar the most. However, considering that someone has died at home, I can only suppress my temper and try to speak in a gentle tone: "Big brother, if you have anything to say, just say it straight out and see if I can help."

  That person was stunned for a moment, perhaps my gentle nature had taken effect, and after hesitating for a moment, he loosened his grip on my collar. At this time, I also got a clear look at that person's face, and in my heart, there was a sudden jolt. Why? Because on that person's face, there was a scar that went from the forehead all the way down to the left cheek, looking like a big centipede, which made me feel somewhat nauseous. Of course, this wasn't the reason why I was shocked. It was because on that person's face, there were patches of discoloration, looking as if they were about to rot, and black energy shot straight up to the heavenly court, or in other words, dark clouds covered his brow, and even his forehead seemed to be emitting a faint black glow.

  I swallowed my saliva, and I guessed that this person must have encountered something strange, must have provoked some unclean thing. No wonder the mood was so agitated, no wonder it was still wrapped up tightly on such a hot day. If I'm not mistaken, this person was panting in a suit and wearing gloves, probably just like his face, this wouldn't be some kind of infectious disease, would it? Subconsciously taking a step back, but then heard the man sigh and say: "I want a funeral."

  I was taken aback for a moment, I didn't know what this person meant. After a brief silence, I thought to myself and then said apologetically: "Big brother, my grandfather is not at home, I'm afraid I won't be of much help to you..."

  Who would have thought that as soon as the words fell, that person suddenly became furious again, and stretched out his hand to grab me. Of course, this time I was already prepared, thinking it wouldn't be easy to catch me. With a slip of my foot, I dodged to one side, thinking I had avoided him. But unexpectedly, that person made a sudden move, turned around, and grabbed the collar of my shirt. "Damn it," I thought, "does he have this habit?" Just as I was about to say something, that person growled in a low voice: "I don't care, go get your old man back here for me. I only have three days' time, no time to find someone else. You're the only family around here doing this business. If you don't do it, then...".

  Although the words behind were not spoken, this person's face revealed a green vein, with a ferocious expression, and a hint of eerie red in his eyes. Unbeknownst to me, another hand had appeared, holding a dagger that was now pressed against my neck: "Otherwise, I'll kill your entire family."

  My body stiffened, and I wondered if this person was mentally ill. However, facing this situation, I hesitated for a moment, forcing out a faint smile, and muttered an "en" sound. But the person suddenly moved, don't think that knife could intimidate me, I'm not someone who's easily scared, and I've seen bloody scenes before. With a sudden jerk of my head, my right hand had already knocked away the man's dagger, then with a fierce headbutt, I charged forward, and indeed sent the man stumbling backward, releasing his grip on my collar. However, I was also momentarily stunned, feeling dizzy and disoriented, with everything spinning around me.

  But I thought too simply, and before I could even catch my breath, everything in front of me was still a blur. Then I felt a sharp pain in my stomach as if someone had punched me hard, making me involuntarily grunt and double over. That wasn't the end of it - my stomach was still throbbing in agony when I suddenly found myself lifted off the ground again, only to be slammed back down with such force that I almost threw up the lunch I'd eaten earlier. And before I could even figure out what was happening, something cold and metallic was pressed against my neck, sending a faint wave of pain through me.